Derek Lamely fired a nine-under par 63 on Wednesday to seize the first-round lead at the USPGA Tour’s Bob Hope Classic, one stroke in front of Jhonattan Vegas and J.J. Henry.
Lamely, who teed off on the 10th hole of the Palmer Private course — one of four in use for the five-day event — got hot coming home with an eagle and five birdies from the second to seventh holes.
Lamely is seeking a second career victory. He put himself in contention for rookie of the year honors last season with his victory in the Puerto Rico Open.
However, he was well aware that in a 90-hole event on birdie-friendly courses, a first-round lead was tenuous.
Venezuela’s Vegas had nine birdies in his eight-under 64 on the Palmer course, while Henry notched his 64 on the Nicklaus Private course.
Six players were a further shot back on 65.
Lamely’s six-hole run from the second was the best stretch on the US tour since Brandt Snedeker put together an eight-under, seven-hole string in 2007 at Torrey Pines.
He said his main goal in the early going this season was to notch a victory in time to qualify for the first major of the year, the Masters at Augusta National in April.
Henry holed a 132-yard wedge shot on his first hole at the Nicklaus course. He nabbed six birdies in eight holes around the turn.
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